Philosophy. Study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence.

Learn about philosophy the smart way with Philosophy courses at the University of Sydney.

Science is a ‘methodology’: a particular way of observing and explaining the world, of answering the one BIG question: “What must the world be like, that it produce the phenomena we observe?” This course is part three of a four part Philosophy for Science series which retraces the unfolding of the Scientific Revolution: the evolution of classical physics, chemistry and electromagnetism from Democritus and Aristotle to Maxwell and Einstein. It’s a monumental tale of achievement; and by the end of the nineteenth century, we had everything all figured out! Or so we thought…

This course is part of a series and should ideally be completed in sequence.

Course content

This philosophy of science course covers the following topics:

Introduction: The Philosophical Foundations of Science

The language and logic of Science

Observing patterns/regularities: from experience to understanding via description and relation

The physical and chemical separation of mixtures and compound substances

Atomic weight and number: the Periodic Table of elements

The molecular theory of chemistry.

The Kinetic Theory of Motion and Energy

The Principles of Conservation, Least Action, and: the presumptions of spatial uniformity and temporal constancy

Local reality vs Einstein’s ‘spooky’ action at a distance

Rates of change: velocity and acceleration

Aristotelian, Lagrangian and Newtonian mechanics

Inertia, mass and force; kinetic and potential energy

Attractive and repulsive forces, “fields”, friction and entropy

Thermodynamics and the Kinetic Theory of Gases

Maxwell’s statistical speed distribution of particles

Equipartition of energy; Boltzmann’s statistical mechanics

Where thermodynamics fails!

Circular and Harmonic Motion

The geometry and trigonometry of the circle

Circular and/or periodic motion/oscillation

The pendulum, weights on springs, Hooke’s Law

Waves in string and elastic media; standing waves

Electromagnetism

Electric attraction/repulsion, induction/resistance, and the notion of 'charge'

Electromagnetic waves: radiant ‘energy’ and light

Reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference

Luminiferous “aether” and the Michelson-Morley experiment

The speed of light

Radiation and absorption spectra

The Doppler effect: blue-shifts and red-shifts

Relativity

Frames of reference

Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity

The relativity of inertial mass

Length contraction and time dilation effects

Gravity and Einstein’s Equivalence Principle

The General Theory of Relativity

Supernova events and gravitational waves

Course outcomes

By the end of this philosophy of science course, participants should be familiar with:

The discrete, atomic and molecular structure of the physical world

The internal structure of atoms, and the organisation of the Periodic Table of Elements

The thermodynamics of solids, liquids and gases: of matter & energy, of masses & forces

Circular motion, harmonic oscillators, propagating and standing waves

The phenomenon of electromagnetism, and the properties of electromagnetic radiation – light

The nature of gravity, and Einstein’s Special and General Theories of Relativity

Course suitable for

This course is Part three of a four part series, and much of its content relies on material covered in earlier parts. Before joining this course, therefore, students are urged to read at least some of the following, perhaps in the following order:

Ridley, B. K., Time Space and Things, 3rd Ed., Cambridge: Canto, 1995

Chalmers, Alan F., What Is This Thing Called Science?, 3rd Ed., Qld University Press, 2000

Features

Expert trainers

Central locations

Small class sizes

Free, expert advice

Student materials – yours to keep

Statement of completion

What others say.

‘Philosophy for Science’ is the hardest I think all week, and I love it! The presenter is an excellent teacher with a genuine passion for discovering with us how science really works and where its next big idea might come from.

This course is a gift. We’re all busy making ends meet whilst maintaining relevance with technology and scientific advancements to better understand the world we live in. We spent 2 hours engaged, informed and challenged on all these fronts. The presenter is extraordinary and generous.

Excellent learning experience. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to get to know Quantum physics and wonder where to start from. Attend all four terms to get the most out of it!